Press Releases

(SACRAMENTO, CA) Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus, honored Cecilia Chung during the California State Assembly’s Woman of the Year ceremony for her leadership on civil rights, HIV/AIDS and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) equality.

“Cecilia has an inspiring record of breaking down barriers,” said Ting. “Her bravery and brains have made our community a more compassionate and welcoming place. As we strive for even greater equality, we can simply look to her for a roadmap forward. Cecilia’s passion and commitment to equality know no bounds.”

Chung has over twenty years of service in San Francisco. She is currently a senior advisor for the Transgender Law Center, a Health Commissioner at the San Francisco Department of Public Health, and a member of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. Chung also plays a leadership role in international organizations, including the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+) and the Sero Project.

Among the number of firsts to Chung’s credit, some include:

the first Deputy Director of the Transgender Law Center,

the first transgender woman and first Asian to be elected to lead the Board of Directors of San Francisco’s LGBT Pride Celebration, and

the first person living openly with HIV to Chair the San Francisco Human Rights Commission which, under her leadership, documented widespread discrimination against transgender people and prompted the city to adopt many pioneering anti-discrimination ordinances and policies.

Chung grew up in Hong Kong and her family moved to Los Angeles in the early 1980s. Shortly thereafter, she moved to San Francisco to attend City College. She graduated from Golden Gate University with a degree in international management in 1987.

During the annual Woman of the Year celebration, a woman from each Assembly District is honored in the State Capitol. Each honoree was introduced on the Assembly Floor and received a resolution honoring her accomplishments. The annual event has been a Capitol tradition since 1987 as a way to highlight the achievements of outstanding women throughout the state during Women’s History Month.